JOHOR BARU: Marine police have busted a syndicate and seized more than RM800,000 worth of fireworks from a warehouse in Kulai.

State police chief Comm M. Kumar said a 47-year-old man was arrested during the raid at around 5.30pm on Sunday (May 5).

“We raided a warehouse in Taman Scientex and found vehicle spare parts at first.

“Upon closer inspection, we discovered hundreds of cartons of fireworks, believed to be stock for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration,” he told a press conference at the marine police headquarters here on Tuesday (May 7).

The seized items, worth a market value of about RM854,000, include red firecrackers and pop-pop firecrackers in 427 cartons.

Comm Kumar said the suspect has been remanded until May 9 to assist in investigations.

In a separate case, police arrested a 57-year-old man, believed to be involved in selling subsidised diesel, illegally.

He said the suspect was arrested at around midnight on Monday (May 6) at a petrol station in Tampoi.

“The suspect was caught pumping diesel in a modified lorry, which was installed with five large tanks.

“To the naked eye, the suspect appeared to be fueling up diesel but in reality, he was pumping diesel into a different inlet linked to the modified tanks,” he said.

Marine police arrested the man and seized the lorry along with about 3,000 litres of diesel.

“We believe the suspect sold diesel to smaller industries as they are not entitled to subsidised fuel,” he said.

The suspect has been handed over to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement division for further investigations and action, Comm Kumar added.